Ultra: Assignment Grading and Feedback
Introduction
In Blackboard Ultra, instructors have access to a variety of assessment tools that allow them to evaluate student learning in different formats. These tools include assignments, quizzes, discussions, and journals, each offering unique grading features tailored to different learning objectives.
Assignments allow students to upload files, such as documents, presentations, or multimedia, which can be reviewed and graded using the Bb Annotate tool. Instructors can provide detailed feedback, attach rubrics, and even leave audio or video comments.
Quizzes and Tests are typically used for automated grading of objective questions, such as multiple choice, true/false, and short answer. They offer features like timed assessments, random question pools, and immediate feedback for students.
Discussions provide an interactive space for students to engage in conversations on course topics. These can be graded based on participation, content quality, and timeliness, with options for rubric-based grading or manual evaluation.
Journals serve as a platform for students to reflect on their learning experiences, offering opportunities for formative assessment and personalized feedback from instructors.
While all of these assessments have distinct grading workflows, this page is specifically focused on grading student submissions through the Assignment tool. You will learn how to access, evaluate, and provide feedback on individual assignments using Blackboard Ultra’s grading features.
Assignment Grading in Blackboard Ultra
Grading assignments in Blackboard Ultra is a straightforward process. It allows instructors to provide detailed feedback, use rubrics for consistent evaluation, and efficiently post final grades. Below is a step-by-step guide to accessing, grading, and providing feedback on student submissions.
Before getting started, familiarize yourself with Blackboard Ultra’s grading tools by watching this Grading in Blackboard Ultra video.
Accessing Student Submissions
There are two primary ways to access student submissions:
From the Assignment or Content Area:
Navigate to the assignment in your course.
Click on the assignment and then select the Submission link.
You will be directed to the submission page, where you can see details like submission status and student attempts.
From the Gradebook:
Go to the Gradebook in your course.
Select the assignment from the list of gradable items.
From here, you can view which students have submitted, filter to see pending drafts, and access any existing submissions.
Providing Feedback
General Comments
To provide overall feedback on a submission:
After opening the student’s assignment, scroll down to the Feedback section.
Type your general comments about the submission's strengths and areas for improvement.
If needed, attach any relevant documents for additional feedback (for example is you use a rubric that is not part of the Blackboard Assignment).
Blackboard Annotate
Blackboard Ultra provides the Bb Annotate tool for detailed inline feedback:
You can highlight, comment, and draw on the student’s document.
If a student submits a file (e.g., PowerPoint, Word document), you can view and grade it directly within the Blackboard viewer.
For step-by-step instructions, check out this Bb Annotate tutorial.
Video or Audio Recording Feedback
You can also provide audio or video feedback to enhance student understanding:
In the Feedback section, click the Add Recording button (microphone icon).
Choose Record Audio or Record Video and follow the prompts.
Review and save your recording for the student to access.
Entering a Final Grade Without Rubrics
If a blackboard rubric is attached to the assignments, you must use it to grade or remove it from the assignment in order for the grade center to work correctly.
If no rubric is used:
Click the Grade pill in the right-hand corner submission and enter the final grade manually.
After grading, save the grade and return to the Grade Center.
Creating and Using Rubrics
Rubrics are a powerful tool within Blackboard Ultra, allowing instructors to clearly define criteria for grading assignments, discussions, and journals. They help ensure consistency, transparency, and impartiality in evaluating student work, while also providing students with a clear understanding of what is expected.
Types of Rubrics in Blackboard Ultra
You can create four types of rubrics:
Percentage-Based: The rubric’s criteria add up to 100%, and each level of achievement represents a fixed percentage.
Percentage-Range: Each level has a range of percentages that are used to calculate a student's grade.
Points-Based: The criteria have fixed point values that total a maximum number of points.
Points-Range: Each level represents a range of points that the instructor can assign based on the student’s performance.
Creating and Associating a Rubric
Rubrics can be created in advance or as you set up an assessment. Here’s how to create and associate a rubric with an assignment:
Creating a Rubric:
Navigate to Gradebook and select the Settings icon.
In the Course Rubrics section, click Create New Rubric.
Add rows for different criteria and columns for levels of achievement. You can customize the descriptions for each level and criterion.
Associating a Rubric:
When setting up an assignment or discussion, click the Settings icon for that item.
In the Additional Tools section, select Add grading rubric.
You can either select an existing rubric or create a new one. Once added, the rubric will be linked to that particular assessment.
Grading With a Rubric
When grading an assignment that has a rubric associated:
Navigate to the Gradebook and select the assignment.
Click on a student's name to view their submission.
Click the Rubric icon in the grading panel to open the rubric alongside the submission.
Select the appropriate level for each criterion. The score will automatically update as you make selections.
Optionally, add feedback for each criterion to provide specific guidance to the student.
Managing Rubrics
Copying Rubrics: If you've already used a rubric for grading and need to make edits, you can create a copy. Go to the rubric's settings and select Duplicate. You can then make changes to the copy while preserving the original rubric.
Aligning Rubrics with Goals: You can align specific rows of your rubric with institutional or course goals for more targeted assessment.
Student View of Rubrics
Students can view the rubric before and after completing an assignment. When they view their grades, they will also see the rubric, with each criterion expanded to show their score and any feedback provided. This transparency helps students understand how their work was evaluated and where improvements can be made.
Best Practices for Rubrics
Define Clear Criteria: Ensure that the criteria are specific and directly related to the assignment objectives.
Provide Descriptive Achievement Levels: Detailed descriptions at each level of achievement help students understand what is required for each grade.
Share Rubrics Beforehand: By allowing students to see the rubric before submitting work, you give them clear guidance on how to meet your expectations.
Posting Grades
Once all submissions are graded:
You can post grades within the assignment by using the "Post Grades" button in the assignment assignment grading tool, or alternately,
From the grade Grade Center you may click "Post Now" to release them to students.
Best Practices for Blackboard Grading Tools
Use Bb Annotate for detailed, inline feedback: Taking the time to mark up student submissions ensures that your feedback is clear and actionable.
Provide timely and constructive feedback: Feedback should be clear, concise, and aimed at helping students improve in future assignments.
Leverage video/audio feedback for clarity: Especially for complex comments, hearing the instructor’s voice can help clarify the tone and intent.
Use rubrics consistently: Rubrics save time and offer students transparency on grading criteria.
Tip for OMSW Instructors: Using the Content Library for Reusable Comments
Blackboard Ultra provides a Content Library feature that allows instructors to create a personal bank of reusable comments, helping streamline the grading process across assignments and courses.
Access the Content Library: Open the Content Library from the right side-panel on the submission page.
Create Reusable Comments: Add frequently used comments by clicking the plus sign (+). These comments are saved in your personal library and can be used across any Blackboard assignment or course.
Insert and Edit Comments: To add a reusable comment to a submission, select it from the library. After inserting the comment, you can further customize it for the specific student submission you're marking.
This tool ensures consistency in feedback, saves time, and can be tailored to each student's work, making it highly efficient for grading multiple assignments.
